Thiago Tavares suspended nine months for steroid use

UFC lightweight Thiago Tavares won’t see action until late 2013, if that, after getting popped for PED use in relation to a January 19 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on FX 7. Of course, the “performance enhancing” aspect of the banned substance could be called into question consider Tavares suffered a TKO loss less than two minutes into the tilt.

Regardless, the UFC announced today Tavares had tested positive for Drostanalone, an anabolic steroid. The organization oversaw the event’s regulation as is often the case for international cards. Tavares will be suspended nine months for the infraction and have to pass a drug test before being reinstated to the company’s roster.

Since Tavares lost no change will be made to the bout’s result.

Also worth noting, the UFC confirmed headliner Vitor Belfort received an exemption for testosterone replacement therapy but did not return a sample featuring levels higher than those permissible. Belfort defeated Michael Bisping with a head-kick in the second round of their main event match-up. Prior to the news the 35-year old had dodged the issue of TRT use.